The McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton has ended his feud with Felipe Massa and has already admitted his excitement about next season. Photograph: Victor R. Caivano/AP

Lewis Hamilton's best moment in São Paulo on Sunday came after the Brazilian Grand Prix when he made his peace with Felipe Massa, his nemesis throughout the season.

The McLaren driver went over to Massa in the paddock and the pair hugged and back-slapped as they smiled at each other.

Hamilton and Massa have had six on-track incidents this season and there have been harsh words between the two drivers, whose ability to find each other during a race was described as "magnetic" by the McLaren team principal, Martin Whitmarsh.

The feud looked likely to erupt again as the British driver closed down on the Brazilian in the second half of Sunday's race. But Hamilton retired with gearbox trouble on the 48th lap.

When asked about his reconciliation with Massa, Hamilton said: "It's been a long hard year for all the drivers and I hope they all have a good winter. It was good to have a nice chat with Felipe after the race. I have great respect for him and I'm already looking forward to racing him again next year."